U.S. patent application number 11/602768 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-22 for motion refinement engine with selectable partitionings for use in video encoding and methods for use therewith.
Invention is credited to Edward Hong, Gang Qiu, Avinash Ramachandran.
Application Number | 20080117972 11/602768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39416915 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080117972 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramachandran; Avinash ; et
al. |
May 22, 2008 |
Motion refinement engine with selectable partitionings for use in
video encoding and methods for use therewith
Abstract
A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for
encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images
that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion
compensation module includes a motion search module that generates
a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a
plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of
macroblocks and generates a selected group of the plurality of
partitionings based on a group selection signal. A motion
refinement module--generates a refined motion vector for the
plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality
of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
Inventors: |
Ramachandran; Avinash;
(Toronto, CA) ; Hong; Edward; (North York, CA)
; Qiu; Gang; (Richmond Hill, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARLICK HARRISON & MARKISON
P.O. BOX 160727
AUSTIN
TX
78716-0727
US
|
Family ID: |
39416915 |
Appl. No.: |
11/602768 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
375/240.16 ;
348/699; 375/E7.104; 375/E7.124; 375/E7.211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 19/176 20141101;
H04N 19/119 20141101; H04N 19/15 20141101; H04N 19/567 20141101;
H04N 19/61 20141101; H04N 19/523 20141101; H04N 19/127 20141101;
H04N 19/53 20141101; H04N 19/147 20141101 |
Class at
Publication: |
375/240.16 ;
348/699; 375/E07.124 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/26 20060101
H04N007/26 |
Claims
1. A motion compensation module for use in a video encoder for
encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images
that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks, the motion
compensation module comprising: a motion search module, that
generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of
subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a
plurality of macroblocks and generates a selected group of the
plurality of partitionings based on a group selection signal; and a
motion refinement module, coupled to the motion search module, that
generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks
for the selected group of the plurality of partitionings of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion
search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
2. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein, when the
group selection signal has a first value, the motion search module
determines the selected group of the plurality of partitionings by
comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costs associated
with the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of
subblocks with a first threshold, and assigning the selected group
to be a partitioning with the accumulated cost that compares
favorably to the first threshold.
3. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein, when the
group selection signal has a second value, the motion search module
determines the selected group of the plurality of partitionings by
comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costs associated
with the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of
subblocks, and assigning the selected group to be a selected
partitioning with the most favorable accumulated cost.
4. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein, when the
group selection signal has a third value, the motion search module
determines the selected group of the plurality of partitionings by
comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costs associated
with the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of
subblocks with a second threshold, and assigning the selected group
to be each of partitionings of the plurality of partitionings with
accumulated cost that compares favorably to the second
threshold.
5. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein the motion
search module contemporaneously generates the motion search motion
vector for the plurality of subblocks for a plurality of
partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks.
6. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein the motion
refinement module contemporaneously generates the refined motion
vector for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
7. A motion compensation module for use in a video encoder for
encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images
that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks, the motion
compensation module comprising: a motion search module, that
generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of
subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a
plurality of macroblocks and generates a selected group of the
plurality of partitionings; and a motion refinement module, coupled
to the motion search module, that generates a refined motion vector
for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
8. The motion compensation module of claim 7 wherein, the motion
search module determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings based on costs associated with the motion search
motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
9. The motion compensation module of claim 8 wherein, the motion
search module determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks with a first threshold, and assigning
the selected group to be a partitioning with the accumulated cost
that compares favorably to the first threshold.
10. The motion compensation module of claim 8 wherein, the motion
search module determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks, and assigning the selected group to be
a selected partitioning with the most favorable accumulated
cost.
11. The motion compensation module of claim 8 wherein, the motion
search module determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks with a second threshold, and assigning
the selected group to be each of partitionings of the plurality of
partitionings with accumulated cost that compares favorably to the
second threshold.
12. The motion compensation module of claim 7 wherein the motion
search module contemporaneously generates the motion search motion
vector for the plurality of subblocks for a plurality of
partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks.
13. The motion compensation module of claim 7 wherein the motion
refinement module contemporaneously generates the refined motion
vector for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
14. A method for use in a video encoder for encoding a video input
signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a
plurality of macroblocks, the method comprising: generating a
motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a
plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of
macroblocks; generating a selected group of the plurality of
partitionings based on a group selection signal; and generating a
refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the
selected group of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein, when the group selection signal
has a first value, the step of generating the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings determines the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
the accumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks with a first
threshold, and assigning the selected group to be a partitioning
with the accumulated cost that compares favorably to the first
threshold.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein, when the group selection signal
has a second value, the step of generating the selected group of
the plurality of partitionings determines the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
the accumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks, and assigning the
selected group to be a selected partitioning with the most
favorable accumulated cost.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein, when the group selection signal
has a third value, the step of generating the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings determines the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
the accumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks with a second
threshold, and assigning the selected group to be each of
partitionings of the plurality of partitionings with accumulated
cost that compares favorably to the second threshold.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of generating the
motion search motion vector contemporaneously generates the motion
search motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for a plurality
of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of generating the
refined motion vector contemporaneously generates the refined
motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group
of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the
plurality of macroblocks.
20. A method for use in a video encoder for encoding a video input
signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a
plurality of macroblocks, the method comprising: generating a
motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a
plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of
macroblocks; generating a selected group of the plurality of
partitionings; and generating a refined motion vector for the
plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality
of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein, the step of generating the
selected group determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings based on costs associated with the motion search
motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein, the step of generating the
selected group determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks with a first threshold, and assigning
the selected group to be a partitioning with the accumulated cost
that compares favorably to the first threshold.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein, the step of generating the
selected group determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks, and assigning the selected group to be
a selected partitioning with the most favorable accumulated
cost.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein, the step of generating the
selected group determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks with a second threshold, and assigning
the selected group to be each of partitionings of the plurality of
partitionings with accumulated cost that compares favorably to the
second threshold.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of generating the
motion search motion vector contemporaneously generates the motion
search motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for a plurality
of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks.
26. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of generating the
refined motion vector contemporaneously generates the refined
motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group
of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the
plurality of macroblocks.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
[0001] The present application is related to the following U.S.
patent application that is contemporaneously filed and commonly
assigned:
[0002] MOTION REFINEMENT ENGINE FOR USE IN VIDEO ENCODING IN
ACCORDANCE WITH A PLURALITY OF COMPRESSION STANDARDS AND METHODS
FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. ______;
[0003] MOTION REFINEMENT ENGINE WITH SHARED MEMORY FOR USE IN VIDEO
ENCODING AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. ______;
[0004] MOTION REFINEMENT ENGINE WITH A PLURALITY OF COST
CALCULATION MEDOTHOS FOR USE IN VIDEO ENCODING AND METHODS FOR USE
THEREWITH, having Ser. No. ______; the contents of which are
expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference
thereto.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to encoding used in devices
such as video encoders/codecs.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0006] Video encoding has become an important issue for modern
video processing devices. Robust encoding algorithms allow video
signals to be transmitted with reduced bandwidth and stored in less
memory. However, the accuracy of these encoding methods face the
scrutiny of users that are becoming accustomed to greater
resolution and higher picture quality. Standards have been
promulgated for many encoding methods including the H.264 standard
that is also referred to as MPEG-4, part 10 or Advanced Video
Coding, (AVC). While this standard sets forth many powerful
techniques, further improvements are possible to improve the
performance and speed of implementation of such methods.
[0007] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the
present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1-3 present pictorial diagram representations of a
various video processing devices in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 presents a block diagram representation of a video
processing device 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 presents a block diagram representation of a video
encoder 102 that includes motion search module 204, motion
refinement module 206 and mode decision module 212 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 presents a graphical representation of the
relationship between example top frame and bottom frame macroblocks
(250, 252) and example top field and bottom field macroblocks (254,
256) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 presents a graphical representation that shows
example macroblock partitioning in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 presents a graphical representation of a plurality of
macroblocks of a video input signal that shows an example of the
neighboring macroblocks used in motion compensation or encoding of
a particular macroblock.
[0014] FIG. 9 presents a block diagram representation of a video
encoder 102 that includes motion refinement engine 175 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 11 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 12 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 13 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 14 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 15 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 16 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 17 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 18 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 19 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING THE PRESENTLY
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIGS. 1-3 present pictorial diagram representations of a
various video processing devices in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. In particular, set top box 10 with built-in
digital video recorder functionality or a stand alone digital video
recorder, computer 20 and portable computer 30 illustrate
electronic devices that incorporate a video processing device 125
that includes one or more features or functions of the present
invention. While these particular devices are illustrated, video
processing device 125 includes any device that is capable of
encoding video content in accordance with the methods and systems
described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-19 and the appended
claims.
[0026] FIG. 4 presents a block diagram representation of a video
processing device 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. In particular, video processing device 125
includes a receiving module 100, such as a television receiver,
cable television receiver, satellite broadcast receiver, broadband
modem, 3G transceiver or other information receiver or transceiver
that is capable of receiving a received signal 98 and extracting
one or more video signals 110 via time division demultiplexing,
frequency division demultiplexing or other demultiplexing
technique. Video encoding module 102 is coupled to the receiving
module 100 to encode or transcode the video signal in a format
corresponding to video display device 104.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the received
signal 98 is a broadcast video signal, such as a television signal,
high definition televisions signal, enhanced high definition
television signal or other broadcast video signal that has been
transmitted over a wireless medium, either directly or through one
or more satellites or other relay stations or through a cable
network, optical network or other transmission network. In
addition, received signal 98 can be generated from a stored video
file, played back from a recording medium such as a magnetic tape,
magnetic disk or optical disk, and can include a streaming video
signal that is transmitted over a public or private network such as
a local area network, wide area network, metropolitan area network
or the Internet.
[0028] Video signal 110 can include an analog video signal that is
formatted in any of a number of video formats including National
Television Systems Committee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL)
or Sequentiel Couleur Avec Memoire (SECAM). Processed video signal
includes 112 a digital video codec standard such as H.264, MPEG-4
Part 10 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) or other digital format such as
a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format (such as MPEG1, MPEG2
or MPEG4), Quicktime format, Real Media format, Windows Media Video
(WMV) or Audio Video Interleave (AVI), or another digital video
format, either standard or proprietary.
[0029] Video display devices 104 can include a television, monitor,
computer, handheld device or other video display device that
creates an optical image stream either directly or indirectly, such
as by projection, based on decoding the processed video signal 112
either as a streaming video signal or by playback of a stored
digital video file.
[0030] Video encoder 102 includes a motion compensation module 150
that operates in accordance with the present invention and, in
particular, includes many optional functions and features described
in conjunction with FIGS. 5-19 that follow.
[0031] FIG. 5 presents a block diagram representation of a video
encoder 102 that includes motion search module 204, motion
refinement module 206 and mode decision module 212 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, video
encoder 102 operates in accordance with many of the functions and
features of the H.264 standard, the MPEG-4 standard, VC-1 (SMPTE
standard 421M) or other standard, to encode a video input signal
110 that is converted to a digital format via a signal interface
198.
[0032] The video encoder 102 includes a processing module 200 that
can be implemented using a single processing device or a plurality
of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a
microprocessor, co-processors, a micro-controller, digital signal
processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field
programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine,
logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any
device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on
operational instructions that are stored in a memory, such as
memory module 202. Memory module 202 may be a single memory device
or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device can include
a hard disk drive or other disk drive, read-only memory, random
access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,
dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that
stores digital information. Note that when the processing module
implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog
circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory
storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded
within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine,
analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
[0033] Processing module 200, and memory module 202 are coupled,
via bus 220, to the signal interface 198 and a plurality of other
modules, such as motion search module 204, motion refinement module
206, direct mode module 208, intra-prediction module 210, mode
decision module 212, reconstruction module 214, entropy coding
module 216, neighbor management module 218, forward transform and
quantization module 220 and deblocking filter module 222. The
modules of video encoder 102 can be implemented in software,
firmware or hardware, depending on the particular implementation of
processing module 200. It should also be noted that the software
implementations of the present invention can be stored on a
tangible storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk,
read-only memory or random access memory and also be produced as an
article of manufacture. While a particular bus architecture is
shown, alternative architectures using direct connectivity between
one or more modules and/or additional busses can likewise be
implemented in accordance with the present invention.
[0034] Motion compensation module 150 includes a motion search
module 204 that processes pictures from the video input signal 110
based on a segmentation into macroblocks of pixel values, such as
of 16 pixels by 16 pixels size, from the columns and rows of a
frame and/or field of the video input signal 110. In an embodiment
of the present invention, the motion search module determines, for
each macroblock or macroblock pair of a field and/or frame of the
video signal one or more motion vectors (depending on the
partitioning of the macroblock into subblocks as described further
in conjunction with FIG. 7) that represents the displacement of the
macroblock (or subblock) from a reference frame or reference field
of the video signal to a current frame or field. In operation, the
motion search module operates within a search range to locate a
macroblock (or subblock) in the current frame or field to an
integer pixel level accuracy such as to a resolution of 1-pixel.
Candidate locations are evaluated based on a cost formulation to
determine the location and corresponding motion vector that have a
most favorable (such as lowest) cost.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cost
formulation is based on the sum of the Sum of Absolute Difference
(SAD) between the reference macroblock and candidate macroblock
pixel values and a weighted rate term that represents the number of
bits required to be spent on coding the difference between the
candidate motion vector and either a predicted motion vector (PMV)
that is based on the neighboring macroblock to the right of the
current macroblock and on motion vectors from neighboring current
macroblocks of a prior row of the video input signal or an
estimated predicted motion vector that is determined based on
motion vectors from neighboring current macroblocks of a prior row
of the video input signal. In addition, the cost calculation avoids
the use of neighboring subblocks within the current macroblock. In
this fashion, motion search module 204 is able to operate on a
macroblock to contemporaneously determine the motion search motion
vector for each subblock of the macroblock.
[0036] A motion refinement module 206 generates a refined motion
vector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based
on the motion search motion vector. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the motion refinement module determines, for each
macroblock or macroblock pair of a field and/or frame of the video
input signal 110, a refined motion vector that represents the
displacement of the macroblock from a reference frame or reference
field of the video signal to a current frame or field. In
operation, the motion refinement module refines the location of the
macroblock in the current frame or field to a greater pixel level
accuracy such as to a resolution of 1/4-pixel. Candidate locations
are also evaluated based on a cost formulation to determine the
location and refined motion vector that have a most favorable (such
as lowest) cost. As in the case with the motion search module, a
cost formulation is based on the a sum of the Sum of Absolute
Difference (SAD) between the reference macroblock and candidate
macroblock pixel values and a weighted rate term that represents
the number of bits required to be spent on coding the difference
between the candidate motion vector and either a predicted motion
vector (PMV) that is based on the neighboring macroblock to the
right of the current macroblock and on motion vectors from
neighboring current macroblocks of a prior row of the video input
signal or an estimated predicted motion vector that is determined
based on motion vectors from neighboring current macroblocks of a
prior row of the video input signal. In addition, the cost
calculation avoids the use of neighboring subblocks within the
current macroblock. In this fashion, motion refinement module 206
is able to operate on a macroblock to contemporaneously determine
the motion search motion vector for each subblock of the
macroblock.
[0037] In addition motion search module 202 or motion refinement
module 204 is operable to determine a skip mode cost of the P
Slices of video input signal 110 by evaluating a cost associated
with a stationary motion vector, and by skipping portions of motion
search and/or motion refinement if the skip mode cost compares
favorably to a skip mode threshold.
[0038] It should be noted that when estimated predicted motion
vectors are used, the cost formulation avoids the use of motion
vectors from the current row and both the motion search module 204
and the motion refinement module 206 can operate in a pipelined
fashion and in parallel on an entire row of video input signal 110,
to contemporaneously determine the refined motion vector for each
macroblock in the row.
[0039] A direct mode module 208 generates a direct mode motion
vector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based
on a plurality of macroblocks that neighbor the macroblock of
pixels. In an embodiment of the present invention, the direct mode
module 208 operates to determine the direct mode motion vector and
the cost associated with the direct mode motion vector based on the
cost for the direct mode motion vectors for the B slices of video
input signal 110, such as in a fashion defined by the H.264
standard.
[0040] While the prior modules have focused on inter-prediction of
the motion vector, intra-prediction module 210 generates a best
intra prediction mode for each macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks. In particular, intra-prediction module 210 operates in
a fashion such as defined by the H.264 standard to evaluate a
plurality of intra prediction modes, based on motion vectors
determined from neighboring macroblocks to determine the best intra
prediction mode and the associated cost.
[0041] A mode decision module 212 determines a final motion vector
for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on costs
associated with the refined motion vector, the direct mode motion
vector, and the best intra prediction mode, and in particular, the
method that yields the most favorable (lowest) cost, or otherwise
an acceptable cost. A reconstruction module 214 completes the
motion compensation by generating residual luma and/or chroma pixel
values corresponding to the final motion vector for each macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks.
[0042] A forward transform and quantization module 220 of video
encoder 102 generates processed video signal 112 by transforming
coding and quantizing the residual pixel values into quantized
transformed coefficients that can be further coded, such as by
entropy coding in entropy coding module 216, filtered by
de-blocking filter module 222 and transmitted and/or stored as the
processed video signal 112.
[0043] As discussed above, many of the modules of motion
compensation module 150 operate based on motion vectors determined
for neighboring macroblocks. Neighbor management module 218
generates and stores neighbor data for at least one macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks for retrieval by at least one of the
motion search module 204, the motion refinement module 206, the
direct mode module 208, intra-prediction module 210, entropy coding
module 216 and deblocking filter module 222, when operating on at
least one neighboring macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
As the motion vector (or the plurality of motion vectors in the
case of macroblock partitioning, discussed further in conjunction
with FIGS. 7 and 8) and the other encoding data are finalized,
neighboring data is stored for use in the processing of neighboring
macroblocks that have yet to be processed, yet that will require
the use of such data. In addition, neighboring data is also stored
for the processing of future pictures, such as future frames and/or
fields of video input signal 110.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, a data structure,
such as a linked list, array or one or more registers are used to
associate and store neighbor data for each macroblock. Neighbor
data includes motion vectors, reference indices, quantization
parameters, coded-block patterns, macroblock types, intra/inter
prediction module types neighboring pixel values and or other data
from neighboring macroblocks and/or subblocks used to by one or
more of the modules or procedures of the present invention to
calculate results for a current macroblock. For example, in order
to determine the predicated motion vector for the motion search
module 204 and motion refinement module 206, both the motion
vectors and reference index of neighbors are required. In addition
to these data, the direct mode module 208 requires the motion
vectors of the co-located macroblock of previous reference
pictures. The deblocking filter module 222 operates according to a
set of filtering strengths determined by using the neighbors'
motion vectors, quantization parameters, reference index, and
coded-block-patterns, etc. For entropy coding in entropy coding
module 216, the motion vector differences (MVD), macroblock types,
quantization parameter delta, inter predication type, etc. are
required.
[0045] Consider the example where a particular macroblock MB(x,y)
requires neighbor data from macroblocks MB(x-1, y-1), MB(x, y-1),
MB (x+1,y-1) and MB(x-1,y). In prior art codecs, the preparation of
the neighbor data needs to calculate the location of the relevant
neighbor sub-blocks. However, the calculation is not as
straightforward as it was in conventional video coding standards.
For example, in H.264 coding, the support of multiple partition
types make the size and shape for the subblocks vary significantly.
Furthermore, the support of the macroblock adaptive frame and field
(MBAFF) coding allows the macroblocks to be either in frame or in
field mode. For each mode, one neighbor derivation method is
defined in H.264. So the calculation needs to consider each mode
accordingly. In addition, in order to get all of the neighbor data
required, the derivation needs to be invoked four times since there
are four neighbors involved--MB(x-1, y-1), MB(x, y-1), MB(x+1,
y-1), and MB(x-1, y). So the encoding of the current macroblock
MB(x, y) cannot start not until the location of the four neighbors
has been determined and their data have been fetched from
memory.
[0046] The present invention avoids the above problems. In
particular when each macroblock is processed and final motion
vectors and encoded data are determined, neighbor data is stored in
data structures for each neighboring macroblock that will need this
data. Since the neighbor data is prepared in advance, the current
macroblock MB(x,y) can start right away when it is ready to be
processed. The burden of pinpointing neighbors is virtually
re-allocated to its preceding macroblocks. The encoding of
macroblocks can be therefore be more streamline and faster. In
other words, when the final motion vectors are determined for
MB(x-1,y-1), neighbor data is stored for each neighboring
macroblock that is yet to be processed, including MB(x,y) and also
other neighboring macroblocks such as MB(x, y-1), MB(x-2,y)
MB(x-1,y). Similarly, when the final motion vectors are determined
for MB(x,y-1), MB (x+1,y-1) and MB(x-1,y) neighbor data is stored
for each neighboring macroblock corresponding to each of these
macroblocks that are yet to be processed, including MB(x,y). In
this fashion, when MB(x,y) is ready to be processed, the neighbor
data is already stored in a data structure that corresponds to this
macroblock for fast retrieval.
[0047] The motion compensation can then proceed using the retrieved
data. In particular, the motion search module 204 and/or the motion
refinement module, can generate at least one predicted motion
vector (such as a standard PMV or estimated predicted motion
vector) for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks using
retrieved neighbor data. Further, the direct mode module 208 can
generate at least one direct mode motion vector for each macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks using retrieved neighbor data and
the intra-prediction module 210 can generates the best intra
prediction mode for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks
using retrieved neighbor data, and the coding module 216 can use
retrieved neighbor data in entropy coding, each as set forth in the
H.264 standard, the MPEG-4 standard, VC-1 (SMPTE standard 421M) or
by other standard or other means.
[0048] While not expressly shown, video encoder 102 can include a
memory cache, a memory management module, a comb filter or other
video filter, and/or other module to support the encoding of video
input signal 110 into processed video signal 112.
[0049] FIG. 6 presents a graphical representation of the
relationship between example top frame and bottom frame macroblocks
(250, 252) and example top field and bottom field macroblocks (254,
256) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
this embodiment, motion search module 204 generates a motion search
motion vector for each macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks by
contemporaneously evaluating a macroblock pair that includes a top
frame macroblock 250 and bottom frame macroblock 252 from a frame
of the video input signal 110 and a top field macroblock 254 and a
bottom field macroblock 256 from corresponding fields of the video
input signal 110.
[0050] Considering the example shown, each of the macroblocks are
16 pixels by 16 pixels in size. Motion search is performed in full
pixel resolution, or other resolution, either coarser or finer, by
comparing a candidate frame macroblock pair of a current frame that
includes top frame macroblock 250 and bottom frame macroblock 252
to the macroblock pair of a reference frame. In addition, lines of
a first parity (such as odd lines) from the candidate frame
macroblock pair are grouped to form top field macroblock 254.
Similarly, lines of a second parity (such as even lines) from the
candidate frame macroblock pair are grouped to form bottom field
macroblock 256. Motion search module 204 calculates a cost
associated a plurality of lines, and generates a cost associated
with the top frame macroblock 250 based on a cost accumulated for a
plurality of top lines of the plurality of lines, generates a cost
associated with the bottom frame macroblock 252 based on a cost
accumulated for a plurality of bottom lines of the plurality of
lines, generates a cost associated with the top field macroblock
254 based on a cost accumulated for a plurality of first-parity
lines of the plurality of lines compared with either a top or
bottom field reference, and generates a cost associated with the
bottom field macroblock 256 based on a cost accumulated for a
plurality of second-parity lines of the plurality of lines, also
based on either a top or bottom field reference. In this fashion,
six costs can be generated contemporaneously for the macroblock
pair: top frame compared with top frame of the reference; bottom
frame compared with the bottom frame of the reference; top field
compared with top field of the reference; bottom field compared
with the bottom field of the reference; top field compared with
bottom field of the reference; and bottom field compared with the
top field of the reference.
[0051] Each of these costs can be generated based on the sum of the
absolute differences (SAD) of the pixel values of the current frame
or field with the reference frame or field. The SADs can be
calculated contemporaneously, in a single pass, based on the
accumulation for each line. The overall SAD for a particular
macroblock (top or bottom, frame or field) can be determined by
totaling the SADs for the lines that make up that particular
macroblock. Alternatively, the SADs can be calculated in a single
pass, based on the smaller segments such as 4.times.1 segments that
can be accumulated into subblocks, that in turn can be accumulated
into overall macroblock totals. This alternative arrangement
particularly lends itself to motion search modules that operate
based on the partitioning of macroblocks into smaller subblocks, as
will be discussed further in conjunction with FIG. 7.
[0052] The motion search module 204 is particularly well adapted to
operation in conjunction with macroblock adaptive frame and field
processing. Frame mode costs for the current macroblock pair can be
generated as discussed above. In addition, motion search module 204
optionally generates a field decision based on accumulated
differences, such as SAD, between the current bottom field
macroblock and a bottom field macroblock reference, the current
bottom field macroblock and a top field macroblock reference, the
current top field macroblock and the bottom field macroblock
reference, and the current top field macroblock and the top field
macroblock reference. The field decision includes determining which
combination (top/top, bottom/bottom) or (top/bottom, bottom/top)
yields a lower cost. Similarly, motion search module 204 can
optionally choose either frame mode or field mode for a particular
macroblock pair, based on whether the frame mode cost compares more
favorably (e.g. are lower) or less favorably (e.g. higher) to the
field mode cost, based on the field mode decision. In addition,
other modules of motion compensation module 150 that operate on
both frames and field can operate can similarly operate.
[0053] In particular, the neighbor management module 218 generates
neighbor data that includes frame below neighbor data for retrieval
by a neighboring macroblock in a row below the at least one
macroblock when processing in frame mode and field below neighbor
data for retrieval by the neighboring macroblock in a row below the
at least one macroblock when processing in field mode. In addition,
the neighbor data includes frame right neighbor data for retrieval
by a neighboring macroblock to the right of the at least one
macroblock when processing in field mode and field right neighbor
data for retrieval by the neighboring macroblock to the right of
the at least one macroblock when processing in field mode. In this
fashion, the motion search module and other modules of motion
compensation module 150 that operate using neighbor data and that
can operate in either a frame or field mode can directly access
either the frame mode neighbor data for frame mode neighbors above
the macroblock of interest, the field mode neighbor data for field
mode neighbors above the macroblock of interest, the frame mode
neighbor data for the frame mode neighbor to the left of the
macroblock of interest and/or the field mode neighbor data for the
field mode neighbor to the left of the macroblock of interest. As
before, this information is stored in the processing of the prior
macroblocks, whether the macroblocks themselves were processed in
frame or in field, mode, and can be accessed in the processing of
the macroblock of interest by retrieval directly from memory and
without a look-up table or further processing.
[0054] FIG. 7 presents a graphical representation of example
partitionings of a macroblock of a video input signal into a
plurality of subblocks. In particular, while the modules described
in conjunction with FIG. 5 above can operate on macroblocks having
a size such as 16 pixels.times.16 pixels, such as in accordance
with the H.264 standard, macroblocks can be partitioned into
subblocks of smaller size, as small as 4 pixels on a side with the
functions and features described in conjunction with the
macroblocks applying to each subblock with individual pixel
locations indicated by dots. For example, motion search module 204
can generate separate motion search motion vectors for each
subblock of each macroblock, etc.
[0055] Macroblock 302 represents an example of partitioning into
subblocks in accordance with the H.264 standard. Macroblocks 300,
304 and 306 represent examples of other possible partitioning into
subblocks. In particular, macroblock 300 is a 16.times.16
macroblock that is partitioned into an 8.times.16 subblock and two
8.times.8 subblocks. Macroblock 302 is a 16.times.16 macroblock
that is partitioned into three 8.times.8 subblocks and four
4.times.4 subblocks. Macroblock 304 is a 16.times.16 macroblock
that is partitioned into an 8.times.16 subblock, an 8.times.8
subblock and two 4.times.8 subblocks. Macroblock 306 is a
16.times.16 macroblock that is partitioned into an 8.times.8
subblock, three 4.times.8 subblocks, two 8.times.4 subblocks, and
two 4.times.4 subblocks. The partitioning of the macroblocks into
smaller subblocks increases the complexity of the motion
compensation by requiring various compensation methods, such as the
motion search to determine, not only the motion search motion
vectors for each subblock, but the best motion vectors over the set
of all possible partitions of a particular macroblock. The result
however can yield more accurate motion compensation and reduced
compression artifacts in the decoded video image.
[0056] FIG. 8 presents a graphical representation of a plurality of
macroblocks of a video input signal that shows an example of the
neighboring macroblocks used in motion compensation or encoding of
a particular macroblock. Three macroblocks MB n-1, MB n and MB n+1
are show for three rows, row i-1, row i and row i+1 of a video
input signal in either frame or field mode. The dots representing
individual pixel locations have been omitted for clarity.
[0057] Consider for example, that video encoder 102 is operating on
macroblock MB(n, i). Consider further, that the motion refinement
module 206, motion search module 204, direct mode module 208, the
intra-prediction module 210 and coding module 216 may need the
final motion vectors determined for 4.times.4 subblock D0 from
MB(n-1, i-1), subblock B0 from MB(n, i-1), subblock C0 from MB(n+1,
i-1), along with subblock A0 from MB(n-1, i). When MB(n-1, i-1) is
processed, the motion vector for D0 is stored in a data structure
associated with MB(n, i), along with the other neighbor data for
other neighbors such as MB(n, i-1), MB(n-2, i) and MB(n-1, i). When
MB(n, i-1) is processed, the motion vector for B0 is stored in a
data structure associated with MB(n, i) along with the other
neighbor data for other neighbors. When MB(n+1, i-1) is processed,
the motion vector for C0 is stored in a data structure associated
with MB(n, i) along with the other neighbor data for other
neighbors. And when MB(n-1, i) is processed, the motion vector for
D0 is stored in a data structure associated with MB(n, i) along
with the other neighbor data for other neighbors. In this fashion,
when MB (n, i) is processed, any of the necessary neighbor data can
be easily retrieved from the data structure.
[0058] While the above discussion relates to the processing in
either frame of field mode, as discussed in conjunction with FIG.
6, both frame and field mode neighbor data can be stored for later
retrieval, as needed, in the processing of neighboring macroblocks.
Further, while the above discussion focuses on individual
macroblocks, neighbor data based on the processing or macroblock
pairs can also be stored, with, for instance, neighbor data used by
the bottom macroblock that is derived from the top macroblock
within the macroblock pair being generated directly in the
processing of the macroblock pair.
[0059] FIG. 9 presents a block diagram representation of a video
encoder 102 that includes motion refinement engine 175 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In addition
to modules referred to by common reference numerals that have been
previously described, motion refinement engine 175 includes a
shared memory 205 that can be implemented separately from, or part
of, memory module 202. In addition, motion refinement engine 175
can be implemented in a special purpose hardware configuration that
has a very generic design capable of handling sub-pixel search
using different reference pictures--either frame or field and
either forward in time, backward in time or a blend between forward
and backward. Motion refinement engine 175 can operate in a
plurality of compression modes to support a plurality of different
compression algorithms such as H.264, MPEG-4, VC-1, etc. in an
optimized and single framework. Reconstruction can be performed for
chroma only, luma only or both chroma and luma.
[0060] For example, the capabilities these compression modes can
include:
H.264:
[0061] 1. Motion search and refinement on all large partitions into
subblocks of size (16.times.16), (16.times.8), (8.times.16) and
(8.times.8) for forward/backward and blended directions when MBAFF
is ON. This also includes field and frame MB types. [0062] 2.
Motion search and refinement on all partitions into subblocks of
size (16.times.16), (16.times.8), (8.times.16) and (8.times.8), and
subpartitions into subblocks of size (8.times.8), (8.times.4),
(4.times.8), and (4.times.4) for forward/backward and blended
directions when MBAFF is OFF. [0063] 3. Computation of direct mode
and/or skip mode cost for MBAFF ON and OFF. [0064] 4. Mode decision
is based on all the above partitions for MBAFF ON and OFF. The
chroma reconstruction for the corresponding partitions is
implicitly performed when the luma motion reconstruction is
invoked. [0065] 5. Motion refinement and compensation include
quarter pixel accurate final motion vectors using the 6 tap filter
algorithms of the H.264 standard.
VC-1:
[0065] [0066] 1. Motion search and refinement for both 16.times.16
and 8.times.8 partitions for both field and frame cases for
forward, backward and blended directions. [0067] 2. Mode decision
is based on each of the partitions above. This involves the luma
and corresponding chroma reconstruction. [0068] 3. Motion
refinement and compensation include bilinear half pixel accurate
final motion vectors of the VC-1 standard.
MPEG-4:
[0068] [0069] 1. Motion search and refinement for both 16.times.16
and 8.times.8 partitions for both field and frame cases for
forward, backward and blended directions. [0070] 2. Mode decision
is based on all of the partitions above. Reconstruction involves
the luma only. [0071] 3. Motion refinement and compensation include
bilinear half pixel accurate MVs of the VC-1 standard.
[0072] Further, motion refinement engine 175 can operate in two
basic modes of operation (1) where the operations of motion
refinement module 206 are triggered by and/or directed by
software/firmware algorithms included in memory module 202 and
executed by processing module 200; and (2) where operations of
motion refinement module 206 are triggered by the motion search
module 204, with little or no software/firmware intervention. The
first mode operates in accordance with one or more standards,
possibly modified as described herein. The second mode of operation
can be dynamically controlled and executed more quickly, in an
automated fashion and without a loss of quality.
[0073] Shared memory 205 can be individually, independently and
contemporaneously accessed by motion search module 204 and motion
refinement module 206 to facilitate either the first or second mode
of operation. In particular, shared memory 205 includes a portion
of memory, such as a cost table that stores results (such as motion
vectors and costs) that result from the computations performed by
motion search module 204. This cost table can include a plurality
of fixed locations in shared memory where these computations are
stored for later retrieval by motion refinement module 206,
particularly for use in the second mode of operation. In addition,
to the cost table, the shared memory 205 can also store additional
information, such as a hint table, that tells the motion refinement
module 206 and the firmware of the decisions it makes for use in
either mode, again based on the computations performed by motion
search module 204. Examples include: identifying which partitions
are good, others that are not as good and/or can be discarded;
identifying either frame mode or field mode as being better and by
how much; and identifying which direction, amongst forward,
backward and blended is good and by how much, etc.
[0074] The motion search module may terminate its computations
early based on the results it obtains. In any case, motion search
can trigger the beginning of motion refinement directly by a
trigger signal sent from the motion search module 204 to the motion
refinement module 206. Motion refinement module 206 can, based on
the data stored in the hint table and/or the cost table, have the
option to refine only particular partitions, a particular mode
(frame or field), and/or a particular direction (forward, backward
or blended) that either the motion search module 204 or the motion
refinement module 206 determines to be good based on a cost
threshold or other performance criteria. In the alternative, the
motion refinement module can proceed directly based on
software/firmware algorithms in a more uniform approach. In this
fashion, motion refinement engine 175 can dynamically and
selectively operate so as to complete the motion search and motion
refinement, pipelined and in parallel, such that the refinement is
performed for selected partitions, all the subblocks for a single
partition, group of partitions or an entire MB/MB pair on both a
frame and field basis, on only frame or field mode basis, and for
forward, backward and blended directions of for only a particular
direction, based on the computations performed by the motion search
module 204.
[0075] In operation, motion search module 204 contemporaneously
generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of
subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a
plurality of MB/MB pairs. Motion refinement module 206, when
enabled, contemporaneously generates a refined motion vector for
the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of
the MB/MB pairs of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the
motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks
of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. Mode decision
module selects a selected partitioning of the plurality of
partitionings, based on costs associated with the refined motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of
partitionings, of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
and determines a final motion vector for each of the plurality of
subblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. Reconstruction module
214 generates residual pixel values, for chroma and/or luma,
corresponding to a final motion vector for the plurality of
subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
[0076] Further, the motion search module 204 and the motion
refinement module 206 can operate in a plurality of other selected
modes including a mode corresponding to a first compression
standard, a mode corresponding to a second compression standard
and/or a mode corresponding to a third compression standard, etc.
and wherein the plurality of partitionings can be based on the
selected mode. For instance, in one mode, the motion search module
204 and the motion refinement module 206 are capable of operating
with macroblock adaptive frame and field (MBAFF) enabled when a
MBAFF signal is asserted and with MBAFF disabled when the MBAFF
enable signal is deasserted, and wherein the plurality of
partitionings are based on the MBAFF enable signal. In an
embodiment, when the MBAFF signal is asserted, the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblock into
subblocks having a first minimum dimension of sizes 16 pixels by 16
pixels, 16 pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 16 pixels, and 8 pixels
by 8 pixels--having a minimum dimension of 8 pixels. Further, when
the MBAFF signal is deasserted, the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock partition the macroblock into subblocks having a
second minimum dimension of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16 pixels
by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 16 pixels, 8 pixels by 8 pixels, 4 pixels
by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 4 pixels, and 4 pixels by 4 pixels--having
a minimum dimension of 4 pixels. In other modes of operation, the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock partition the
macroblock into subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, and 8
pixels by 8 pixels. While particular macroblock dimensions are
described above, other dimensions are likewise possible with the
broader scope of the present invention.
[0077] In addition, to the partitionings of the MB/MB pairs being
based on the particular compression standard employed, motion
search module 204 can generate a motion search motion vector for a
plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a
macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and generate a selected
group of the plurality of partitionings based on a group selection
signal. Further, motion refinement module 206 can generate the
refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the
selected group of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks. In this embodiment, the group
selection signal can be used by the motion search module 204 to
selectively apply one or more thresholds to narrow down the number
of partitions considered by motion refinement module 206 in order
to speed up the algorithm.
[0078] For example, when the group selection signal has a first
value, the motion search module 204 determines the selected group
of the plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality
of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
the accumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks with a first
threshold, and assigning the selected group to be a partitioning
with the accumulated cost that compares favorably to the first
threshold. In this mode, if a particular partitioning is found that
generates a very good cost, the motion search module 204 can
terminate early for the particular macroblock and motion refinement
module 206 can operate, not on the entire set of partitionings, but
on the particular partitioning that generates a cost that compares
favorably to the first threshold.
[0079] Further, when the group selection signal has a second value,
the motion search module 204 determines the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
the accumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks and assigning the
selected group to be the selected partitioning with the most
favorable accumulated cost. Again, motion refinement module 206 can
operate, not on the entire set of partitionings, but on the
particular partitioning that generates the most favorable cost from
the motion search.
[0080] In addition, when the group selection signal has a third
value, the motion search module 204 determines the selected group
of the plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality
of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
the accumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks with a second
threshold, and assigning the selected group to be each of
partitionings of the plurality of partitionings with accumulated
cost that compares favorably to the second threshold. In this mode,
motion refinement module 206 can operate, not on the entire set of
partitionings, but only on those partitionings that generate a cost
that compares favorably to the second threshold.
[0081] As discussed above, the motion search module 204 and motion
refinement module 206 can be pipelined and operate to
contemporaneously generate the motion search motion vector for the
plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a
macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks, in parallel. In addition,
shared memory 205 can be closely coupled to both motion search
module 204 and motion refinement module 206 to efficiently store
the results for selected group of partitionings from the motion
search module 204 for use by the motion refinement module 206. In
particular, motion search module 204 stores the selected group of
partitionings and the corresponding motion search motion vectors in
the shared memory and other results in the cost and hint tables.
Motion refinement module 206 retrieves the selected group of
partitionings and the corresponding motion search motion vectors
from the shared memory. In a particular embodiment, the motion
search module 204 can generate a trigger signal in response to the
storage of the selected group of partitionings of the macroblock
and the corresponding motion search motion vectors and/or other
results in the shared memory, and the motion refinement module 206
can commence the retrieval of the selected group of partitionings
and the corresponding motion search motion vectors and/or other
results from the shared memory in response to the trigger
signal.
[0082] As discussed above, the motion refinement for a particular
macroblock can be turned off by selectively disabling the motion
refinement module for a particular application, compression
standard, or for a particular macroblock, such as when, in a skip
mode where the cost associated with the stationary motion vector
compares favorably to a skip mode cost threshold or if the total
cost associated with a particular partitioning compares favorably
to a skip refinement cost threshold, wherein the motion search
motion vector can be used in place of the refined motion vector. In
yet another optional feature, the motion search module 204
generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of
subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a
plurality of macroblocks based one or several costs calculations
such as on a sum of accumulated differences (SAD) cost, as
previously discussed. However, motion refinement module 206, when
enabled, generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of
subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks based on a sum of accumulated
transform differences (SATD) cost. In this case, the mode decision
module 212 must operate on either SAD costs from the motion search
module 204 or based on SATD costs from the motion refinement module
206.
[0083] In particular, mode decision module 212 is coupled to the
motion refinement module 206 and the motion search module 204. When
the motion refinement module 206 is enabled for the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, the mode decision module 212 selects
a selected partitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on
SATD costs associated with the refined motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In addition, when the
motion refinement module 206 is disabled for the macroblock of the
plurality of macroblocks, mode decision module 212 selects a
selected partitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on
SAD costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each
of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, and that determines
a final motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks
corresponding to the selected partitioning of the macroblock of the
plurality of macroblocks.
[0084] Since the motion refinement engine 175 can operate in both a
frame or field mode, mode decision module 212 selects one of a
frame mode and a field mode for the macroblock, based on SATD costs
associated with the refined motion vector for each of the plurality
of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, or based on SAD costs associated with
the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of
subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks.
[0085] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motion
refinement engine 175 is designed to work through a command FIFO
located in the shared memory 205. The functional flexibilities of
the engine are made possible with a highly flexible design of the
command FIFO. The command FIFO has four 32-bit registers, of which
one of them is the trigger for the motion refinement engine 175. It
could be programmed so as to complete the motion
refinement/compensation for a single partition, group of partitions
or an entire MB/MB pair, with or without MBAFF, for forward,
backward and blended directions with equal ease. It should be noted
that several bits are reserved to support future features of the
present invention.
[0086] In a particular embodiment, the structure of the command
FIFO is as summarized in the table below.
TABLE-US-00001 Bit Field Name Position Description TASK 1:0 0 =
Search/refine 1 = Direct 2 = Motion Compensation/Reconstruction 3 =
Decode DIRECTION 4:2 Bit 0: FWD Bit 1: BWD Bit 2: Blended
WRITE_COST 5 0 = Don't write out Cost 1 = Write out Cost PARTITIONS
51:6 Which partitions to turn on and off. This is interpreted in
accordance with a MBAFF Flag TAG 58:52 To tag the Index FIFO
entry-7 bits DONE 59 Generate Interrupt when finished this entry
PRED_DIFF_INDEX 63:60 Which Predicted and Difference Index to write
to CURR_Y_MB_INDEX 67:64 Which Current Y MB Index to read from
CURR_C_MB_INDEX 71:68 Which Current C MB Index to read from
FWD_INDEX 75:72 FWD Command Table Index to parse through BWD_INDEX
79:76 BWD Command Table Index to parse through BLEND_INDEX 83:80
BLEND Command Table Index to write to Reserved 84 THRESHOLD_ENABLE
85 Perform Refinement only for the partitions indicated by the
threshold table. BEST_MB_PARTITION 86 Use only the Best Macroblock
partition. This will ignore the PARTITIONS field in this index FIFO
entry Reserved 87 DIRECT_TOP_FRM_FLD_SEL 89:88 00: None, 01: Frame,
10: Field, 11: Both DIRECT_BOT_FRM_FLD_SEL 91:90 00: None, 01:
Frame, 10: Field, 11: Both WRITE_PRED_PIXELS 93:92 0 = Don't write
out Predicted Pixels 1 = Write out Top MB Predicted Pixels 2 =
Write out Bottom MB Predicted Pixels 3 = Write out both Top and
Bottom MB Predicted Pixels (turned on for the last entry of motion
compensation) WRITE_DIFF_PIXELS 95:94 0 = Don't Write out
Difference Pixels 1 = Write out Top MB Difference Pixels 2 = Write
out Bottom MB Difference Pixels 3 = Write out both Top and Bottom
MB Predicted Pixels (Note: In Motion Compensation Mode, this will
write out the Motion Compensation Pixels and will be turned on for
the last entry of motion compensation) CURR_MB_X 102:96 Current X
coordinate of Macroblock Reserved 103 CURR_MB_Y 110:104 Current Y
coordinate of Macroblock Reserved 111 LAMBDA 118:112 Portion of
weighted for cost Reserved 121:119 BWD_REF_INDEX 124:122 Backward
Reference Index FWD_REF_INDEX 127:125 Forward Reference Index
In addition to the Command FIFO, there are also some slice level
registers in the shared memory that the motion refinement engine
175 uses. These include common video information like codec used,
picture width, picture height, slice type, MBAFF Flag, SATD/SAD
flag and the like. By appropriately programming the above bits, the
following flexibilities/scenarios could be addressed: [0087] 1. The
task bits define the operation to be performed by the motion
refinement engine 175. By appropriately combining this with the
codec information in the registers, the motion refinement engine
175 can perform any of the above tasks for all the codecs as listed
earlier. [0088] 2. The direction bits refer to the reference
picture that needs to be used and are particularly useful in coding
B Slices. Any combination of these 3 bits could be set for any of
the tasks. By enabling all these 3 bits for refinement, the motion
refinement engine 175 can complete motion refinement for the entire
MB in all three directions in one call. However, the motion
refinement engine 175 can also could select any particular
direction and perform refinement only for that (as might be
required in P slices). The command FIFO, thus offers the
flexibility to address both cases of a single, all-directions call
or multiple one-direction calls. [0089] 3. The partitions bits are
very flexible in their design as they holistically cater to motion
refinement and reconstruction for all partitions and sub
partitions. By effectively combining these bits with the direction
bits, the motion refinement engine 175 can achieve both the
extremes i.e. perform refinement for all partitions for all the
directions in one shot or perform refinement/compensation for a
select set of partitions in a particular direction. The partition
bits are also dynamically interpreted differently by the motion
refinement engine 175 engine based on the MBAFF ON flag in the
registers. Thus, using an optimized, limited set of bits, the
motion refinement engine 175 can address an exhaustive scenario of
partition combinations. The structure of the partition bits for
each of these modes is summarized in the tables that follow for
frame (FRM), field (FLD) and direct mode (DIRECT) results.
TABLE-US-00002 [0089] MBAFF ON: Macroblock Partition Frm/Fld Bit
TOP MB 16 .times. 16 FRM 0 FLD 1 DIRECT 2 16 .times. 8 Top
Partition FRM 3 FLD 4 16 .times. 8 Bottom Partition FRM 5 FLD 6 8
.times. 16 Left Partition FRM 7 FLD 8 8 .times. 16 Right Partition
FRM 9 FLD 10 8 .times. 8 Top Left Partition FRM 11 FLD 12 DIRECT 13
8 .times. 8 Top Right Partition FRM 14 FLD 15 DIRECT 16 8 .times. 8
Bottom Left Partition FRM 17 FLD 18 DIRECT 19 8 .times. 8 Bottom
Right Partition FRM 20 FLD 21 DIRECT 22 BOT MB 16 .times. 16 FRM 23
FLD 24 DIRECT 25 16 .times. 8 Top Partition FRM 26 FLD 27 16
.times. 8 Bottom Partition FRM 28 FLD 29 8 .times. 16 Left
Partition FRM 30 FLD 31 8 .times. 16 Right Partition FRM 32 FLD 33
8 .times. 8 Top Left Partition FRM 34 FLD 35 DIRECT 36 8 .times. 8
Top Right Partition FRM 37 FLD 38 DIRECT 39 8 .times. 8 Bottom Left
Partition FRM 40 FLD 41 DIRECT 42 8 .times. 8 Bottom Right
Partition FRM 43 FLD 44 DIRECT 45
TABLE-US-00003 MBAFF OFF: Partition Bit FRAME 16 .times. 16 Enable
0 DIRECT 1 16 .times. 8 Top Partition 2 16 .times. 8 Bottom
Partition 3 8 .times. 16 Left Partition 4 8 .times. 16 Right
Partition 5 8 .times. 8 Top Left Partition 8 .times. 8 6 8 .times.
4 7 4 .times. 8 8 4 .times. 4 9 DIRECT 10 8 .times. 8 Top Right
Partition 8 .times. 8 11 8 .times. 4 12 4 .times. 8 13 4 .times. 4
14 DIRECT 15 8 .times. 8 Bottom Left 8 .times. 8 16 Partition 8
.times. 4 17 4 .times. 8 18 4 .times. 4 19 DIRECT 20 8 .times. 8
Bottom Right 8 .times. 8 21 Partition 8 .times. 4 22 4 .times. 8 23
4 .times. 4 24 DIRECT 25 Reserved 45:26
The command FIFO also has early termination strategies, which could
be efficiently used to speed up the motion refinement
intelligently. These could be used directly in conjunction with the
motion search module 204 or with the intervention of the processor
200 to suit the algorithmic needs. These are as follows: [0090] a.
BEST MB PARTITION: This is the super fast mode, which chooses only
the best mode as indicated by the motion search to perform
refinement on. Motion refinement only looks at the particular
partition that are in the in the threshold table that are set based
on the motion search results for the BEST partition only one frame
or field. [0091] b. THRESHOLD ENABLE: This flag is used to enable
the usage of the threshold information in a motion search MS Stats
Register. If this bit is ON, the motion refinement engine 175
performs refinement ONLY for the modes specified in the threshold
portion of the MS Stats Register. This bit works as follows. For
each of the Top/Bottom, Frame/Field MBs, do the following: [0092]
If any of the partition bits (any of 16.times.16, 16.times.8,
8.times.16, 8.times.8) are enabled in the threshold portion of the
MS Stats Register (this means that thresholds have been met for
those partitions), do all those enabled partitions irrespective of
the PARTITION bits in the Command FIFO. For the MBAFF OFF case,
when the 8.times.8 bit is set, refinement is done ONLY for the best
sub partition as specified in a hint table for each of the
8.times.8 partitions. Motion refinement only looks at particular
partitions that are in the threshold table that are set based on
the motion search results for those partitions that meet the
threshold.
[0093] FIG. 10 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one
or more of the features and functions described in association with
FIGS. 1-9. In step 300, one or more motion search motion vectors
are generated for each macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks by
contemporaneously evaluating a top frame macroblock and bottom
frame macroblock from a frame of the video input signal and a top
field macroblock and a bottom field macroblock from corresponding
fields of the video input signal. In step 302, when enabled the
step is enabled, a refined motion vector is generated for each
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the one or
more motion search motion vectors.
[0094] In an embodiment of the present invention, step 300
calculates a cost associated with the motion search motion vector
based on an estimated predicted motion vector that is based
exclusively on neighboring macroblocks from at least one prior row
of the video input signal. The at least one prior row can include a
row above a row of the video input signal that contains the top
frame macroblock. In addition, step 300 can evaluates a plurality
of partitions of each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks
into a plurality of subblocks and wherein the estimated predicted
motion vector used to calculate a cost for one of the plurality of
subblocks is used for each of the remaining plurality of subblocks.
Further step 300 can compare the cost associated with the plurality
of partitions of each macroblock to a cost threshold and that
terminates the evaluation if the cost associated with a particular
partition of the plurality of partitions compares favorably to the
cost threshold.
[0095] In an embodiment of the present invention, step 300
calculates a cost associated a plurality of lines, and generates a
cost associated with the top frame macroblock based on a cost
accumulated for a plurality of top lines of the plurality of lines,
generates a cost associated with the bottom frame macroblock based
on a cost accumulated for a plurality of bottom lines of the
plurality of lines, generates a cost associated with the top field
macroblock based on a cost accumulated for a plurality of
first-parity lines of the plurality of lines, and generates a cost
associated with the bottom field macroblock based on a cost
accumulated for a plurality of second-parity lines of the plurality
of lines. In addition, step 300 can generate a field decision based
on accumulated differences between the bottom field macroblock and
a bottom field macroblock reference, the bottom field macroblock
and a top field macroblock reference, the top field macroblock and
the bottom field macroblock reference, and the top field macroblock
and the top field macroblock reference.
[0096] In an embodiment of the present invention, step 300
initiates a small search in a small search region centered on a
start motion vector, evaluates a cost associated with a plurality
of candidate motion search motion vectors within the small search
region, compares the cost associated with each with a small search
cost threshold and terminates the evaluation when the cost
associated with one of the plurality of candidate motion search
motion vectors within the small search region compares favorably to
the small search cost threshold. In addition, step 300 can generate
the motion search vector compares a cost associated with a
stationary motion vector to a stationary cost threshold and when,
for a particular one of the plurality of macroblocks, the cost
associated the stationary motion vector compares favorably to the
stationary cost threshold, the step of generating the motion search
module disables the step of generating the refined motion vector
for the particular one of the plurality of macroblocks, and that
assigns the stationary motion vector as the refined motion vector.
Further step 300 can initiate a large search in a large search
region, larger than the small search region, centered on the start
motion vector, evaluates a cost associated with a plurality of
candidate motion search motion vectors within the large search
region, compares the cost associated with each with a large search
cost threshold and terminates the evaluation when the cost
associated with one of the plurality of candidate motion search
motion vectors within the large search region compares favorably to
the large search cost threshold.
[0097] FIG. 11 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one
or more of the features and functions described in association with
FIGS. 1-10. In step 400, one or more motion search motion vectors
are generated for each macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks. In
step 402, a refined motion vector is generated for each macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the one or more motion
search motion vectors. In step 404, a direct mode motion vector is
generated for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,
based on a plurality of macroblocks that neighbor the macroblock of
pixels. In step 406, a best intra prediction mode is generated for
each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
[0098] In step 408, a final motion vector is determined for each
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on costs
associated with the refined motion vector, the direct mode motion
vector, and the best intra prediction mode. In step 410, residual
pixel values are generated corresponding to the final motion vector
for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In step 412,
neighbor data is generated and stored for at least one macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks for retrieval by at least one of
the steps of generating a motion search motion vector, generating a
refined motion vector, generating a direct mode motion vector, and
generating a best intra prediction mode, when operating on at least
one neighboring macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
[0099] In an embodiment of the present invention, steps 400, 402,
404 and/or 406 operate in a macroblock adaptive frame and field
mode and analyze each macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks
based on macroblock pairs that include a top frame macroblock and
bottom frame macroblock from a frame of the video input signal and
a top field macroblock and a bottom field macroblock from a
corresponding field of the video input signal. The neighbor data
can include frame below neighbor data for retrieval by a
neighboring macroblock in a row below the at least one macroblock
when processing in frame mode and field below neighbor data for
retrieval by the neighboring macroblock in a row below the at least
one macroblock when processing in field mode. In addition, the
neighbor data can include frame right neighbor data for retrieval
by a neighboring macroblock to the right of the at least one
macroblock when processing in frame mode and field right neighbor
data for retrieval by the neighboring macroblock to the right of
the at least one macroblock when processing in field mode.
[0100] In an embodiment, steps 400 and/or 402 generate at least one
predicted motion vector for each macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks using retrieved neighbor data. Further, step 404 can
generate at least one direct mode motion vector for each macroblock
of the plurality of macroblocks using retrieved neighbor data.
Also, step 406 can generate the best intra prediction mode for each
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks using retrieved neighbor
data.
[0101] FIG. 12 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one
or more of the features and functions described in association with
FIGS. 1-11. In step 600, a motion search motion vector is
contemporaneously generated for a plurality of subblocks for a
plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of
macroblocks. In step 602, a refined motion vector is
contemporaneously generated for the plurality of subblocks for the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks. In step 604, a selected partitioning of the plurality
of partitionings, is selected based on costs associated with the
refined motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks. In step 606, a final motion vector is determined for
each of the plurality of subblocks corresponding to the selected
partitioning of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In
step 608, residual pixel values are generated corresponding to a
final motion vector for the plurality of subblocks of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
[0102] In an embodiment of the present invention steps 600 and 602
can operate in a plurality of selected modes including a first mode
corresponding to a first compression standard, a second mode
corresponding to a second compression standard and a third mode
corresponding to a third compression standard. For example, in the
first mode, steps 600 and 602 are capable of operating with
macroblock adaptive frame and field enabled when a MBAFF signal is
asserted and with MBAFF disabled when the MBAFF enable signal is
deasserted, and wherein the plurality of partitionings are based on
the MBAFF enable signal. The first compression standard can
includes an H.264 standard, and when the MBAFF signal is asserted,
the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock partition the
macroblock into subblocks having a first minimum dimension. For
example, when the MBAFF signal is asserted, the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblock into
subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16 pixels by 8 pixels, 8
pixels by 16 pixels, and 8 pixels by 8 pixels. In addition, when
the MBAFF signal is deasserted, the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock partition the macroblock into subblocks having a
second minimum dimension that is less than the first minimum
dimension. For example, when the MBAFF signal is deasserted, the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock partition the
macroblock into subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16
pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 16 pixels, 8 pixels by 8 pixels, 4
pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 4 pixels, and 4 pixels by 4
pixels.
[0103] Further, in the second mode, such as when the second
compression standard includes a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
standard, the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock
partition the macroblock into subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16
pixels, and 8 pixels by 8 pixels. Also, in the third mode, such as
when the third compression standard includes a Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard, the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblock into
subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, and 8 pixels by 8
pixels.
[0104] FIG. 13 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one
or more of the features and functions described in association with
FIGS. 1-12. In step 700 a motion search motion vector is generated
for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a
macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks. In step 704, a selected
group of the plurality of partitionings is generated, based on a
group selection signal. In step 716, a refined motion vector is
generated for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of
the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality
of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each
of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
[0105] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the group
selection signal has a first value, step 704 determines the
selected group of the plurality of partitionings by comparing, for
the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality
of macroblocks, the accumulated the costs associated with the
motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks
with a first threshold, and assigning the selected group to be a
partitioning with the accumulated cost that compares favorably to
the first threshold. When the group selection signal has a second
value, step 704 determines the selected group of the plurality of
partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of
the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the
costs associated with the motion search motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks, and assigning the selected group to be
a selected partitioning with the most favorable accumulated cost.
When the group selection signal has a third value, step 704
determines the selected group of the plurality of partitionings by
comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costs associated
with the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of
subblocks with a second threshold, and assigning the selected group
to be each of partitionings of the plurality of partitionings with
accumulated cost that compares favorably to the second
threshold.
[0106] Optionally, step 700 contemporaneously generates the motion
search motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for a plurality
of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and
step 716 contemporaneously generates the refined motion vector for
the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the plurality
of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks.
[0107] FIG. 14 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A method is
presented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features
and functions described in association with FIGS. 1-12, and in
particular that includes one or more elements of the method of FIG.
13 that are referred to by common reference numerals. In addition,
this method includes step 708 of storing the selected group of the
plurality of partitionings and the corresponding motion search
motion vectors in a shared memory. Also, in step 712 the selected
group of the plurality of partitionings and the corresponding
motion search motion vectors are retrieved from the shared
memory.
[0108] FIG. 15 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A method is
presented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features
and functions described in association with FIGS. 1-12 and includes
elements of the method of FIGS. 13 and 14 that are referred to by
common reference numerals. In addition, the method includes step
710 that generates a trigger signal in response to the storage of
the selected group of partitionings of the macroblock and the
corresponding motion search motion vectors in the shared memory. In
addition, step 712' includes retrieving the selected group of
partitionings and the corresponding motion search motion vectors
from the shared memory is performed in response to the trigger
signal.
[0109] FIG. 16 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A method is
presented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features
and functions described in association with FIGS. 1-15. In
particular, a method is presented that can be used as an
alternative to the method of claim 13 that includes common elements
referred to by common reference numerals. In addition, the method
includes a step 704' of generating a selected group of the
plurality of partitionings.
[0110] FIG. 17 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one
or more of the features and functions described in association with
FIGS. 1-16. In step 800, a motion search motion vector is generated
for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a
macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks based on a sum of
accumulated differences (SAD) cost. In step 802, the method
determines if refinement is enabled. If so, the method proceeds to
step 804 and generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of
subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion
vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks and based on a sum of accumulated
transform differences (SATD) cost. In step 806, a selected
partitioning of the plurality of partitionings is selected, based
on SATD costs associated with the refined motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, when the step of
generating a refined motion vector is enabled for the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks.
[0111] If refinement is disabled, the method instead proceeds to
step 808 where a selected partitioning of the plurality of
partitionings is selected, based on SAD costs associated with the
motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks
of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the
plurality of macroblocks. In either case the method proceeds to
step 810 where a final motion vector is determined for each of the
plurality of subblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning
of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In step 812,
residual pixel values are generated corresponding to a final motion
vector for the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the
plurality of macroblocks.
[0112] In an embodiment of the present invention, refinement is
selectively disabled based on a particular application, based on
the particular compression standard, and/or based on a comparison
of a total cost associated with at least one of the plurality of
partitionings of the macroblock to a skip refinement cost
threshold. It should be noted that refinement can be disabled on a
macroblock by macroblock basis.
[0113] In addition, the method can operate in a plurality of
selected modes including a first mode corresponding to a first
compression standard, a second mode corresponding to a second
compression standard and a third mode corresponding to a third
compression standard, such as an H.264 standard, a Motion Picture
Experts Group (MPEG) standard, a Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard or other standard.
[0114] FIG. 18 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with the
method described in association with FIG. 17. In step 820, one of a
frame mode and a field mode is selected for the macroblock, based
on SATD costs associated with the refined motion vector for each of
the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the
macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, when the step of
generating a refined motion vector is enabled for the macroblock of
the plurality of macroblocks.
[0115] FIG. 19 presents a flowchart representation of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with the
method described in association with FIGS. 17 and 18. In step 830,
one of the frame mode and the field mode is selected for the
macroblock, based on SAD costs associated with the motion search
motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the
plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of
macroblocks, when the step of generating a refined motion vector is
disabled for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
[0116] In preferred embodiments, the various circuit components are
implemented using 0.35 micron or smaller CMOS technology. Provided
however that other circuit technologies, both integrated or
non-integrated, may be used within the broad scope of the present
invention.
[0117] While particular combinations of various functions and
features of the present invention have been expressly described
herein, other combinations of these features and functions are
possible that are not limited by the particular examples disclosed
herein are expressly incorporated in within the scope of the
present invention.
[0118] As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the
term "substantially" or "approximately", as may be used herein,
provides an industry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term
and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted
tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and
corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated
circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall
times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges
from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As one
of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term
"coupled", as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and
indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or
module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component,
element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a
signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or
power level. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also
appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled
to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect
coupling between two elements in the same manner as "coupled". As
one of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term
"compares favorably", as may be used herein, indicates that a
comparison between two or more elements, items, signals, etc.,
provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired
relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal
2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of
signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of
signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
[0119] As the term module is used in the description of the various
embodiments of the present invention, a module includes a
functional block that is implemented in hardware, software, and/or
firmware that performs one or module functions such as the
processing of an input signal to produce an output signal. As used
herein, a module may contain submodules that themselves are
modules.
[0120] Thus, there has been described herein an apparatus and
method, as well as several embodiments including a preferred
embodiment, for implementing a video encoder and motion
compensation module and motion refinement engine for use therewith.
Various embodiments of the present invention herein-described have
features that distinguish the present invention from the prior
art.
[0121] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume
many embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set
out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the
appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *